Kirk Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 I was watching a special tonight on the life of Walt Disney. The man was a great visionary. One of a kind. I can think of dozens of ways Disney has affected me throughout my life. I might even be a bit of a closet Disney fanatic. Many great memories of Disneyland over the years, not the least of which was seeing Raspberries play there.My sister is a huge Disney fan, also. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being someone who lives at Disneyland, she'd probably be a 9+...me, maybe an 8+.How about the rest of you guys. On a scale of 1 to 10, where do rate yourself? I'm thinking this may have a bit of a SoCal bias, but Disney did so much with film and television, not to mention other theme parks over the years...who knows? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Oh without a doubt, Kirk, Disney has been a major thread in the tapestry of American life. It's not just a California thing at all. I remember just loving Cinderella and Snow White in the movies and then getting the Little Golden Books. Seeing "Uncle Walt" on television was like getting to know one of the most important people in the world to me. Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio, we lived by their songs (Little Golden Records!) and the morals in those songs. (Give A Little Whistle, etc.)I remember ordering my Mickey Mouse Club hat with the ears as a child and sitting down in front of the television religiously to watch that show. My heroes were Annette, Bobby, Lonnie, Sharon, Karen and Cubby, and there was even a Mouseketeer named Darlene! Life was all about Spin 'n Marty and Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. And later, just appreciating the genius of Walt's contributions to animation, his dedication to children and of course his vision in developing Disneyland and Disney World. Walt was a home-grown American genius and visionary. An American icon, a legend.I think most, if not all of us, are "Disney fanatics" at heart.--D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspberrybelle Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Mr Disney was a wonderful man indeed. Everything about him and what he created seemed to be wholesome (now there's a word you don't hear much anymore).His nature series on animals were wonderfully entertaining and educational. Without either sugar coating or being graphic he taught us about the reality of animal behavior.RIP Walt.Belle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Nice posts Darlene and Belle.I love Disney too.When I was a kid, we went to Disney World (Florida) in its early days. We took an auto train from Kentucky down there, spent a few days (my Mom and 6 kids!..)...and then trekked from there in the station wagon to Naples, our summer home when growing up.I also took my nephews there in 2003. It seems like yesterday!I remember reading a biography on Walt around 1984 or so. It inspired me a bunch.What he created is immense, and proof what great things grow out of a free society and a free economy. Walt Disney could never have been Walt Disney in most other parts of the world, or in most other times in history.The pristine Disney stuff - cartoons, theme parks, animated movies etc (as opposed to some of the stuff coming out of Disney in recent years) is Americana. It's brought a lot of smiles to the world.Good thread Kirk!RIP Walt.James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 I just finished reading Dick Van Dyke's new autobiography, and in it he lists his life's philosophy and attributes it to something he believed Walt aspired to (having worked with him on "Mary Poppins") and I'm paraphrasing, but it went something like this:Three things you need in life to be happy:1. Something to do.2. Somebody to love.3. Something to dream about.That pretty much sums it up, don't you think?Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missm Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Kirk, I watched that same special last night and it was riveting!! I've always loved all things Disney, yet I do have to take issue with one thing....the way Moms are portrayed in his films. Bambi...The Mommy dies! Snow White, The Mommy is a b@#$h!! I know he didn't write the stories on which the films were based, but...really!!At any rate, I'm sure we all remember Sunday evenings watching THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY!! The few times I got to see it were magical! Why did I see it only a few times? My Daddy liked THE FBI and out here they came on at the same time! To this day there is no love lost between Effram Zimbalist, Jr. and me!!Ahhh....The Mickey Mouse Club. I used to watch it in re-runs after school in the mid 70s!! Spin and Marty were such fun!! Who does not know all of the words to their theme song? I am sure everyone knows and loves them!!To this day, a trip to Disneyland is something of a huge deal here in CA! Every year graduating high school seniors take a trip to Disneyland on the evening of their graduation and the park is open for them all night!! My cousins went, I went and my son went (in 2000)!! It was the best time ever!! There is even news coverage the following day regarding all of the school busses on the freeways taking the kids home!!When I think of Disney, I think of vibrant colors and amazing animation! Walt was a genius and the world is a better place for him having been in it!!Thank you, Mr. Disney!! You made the world a brighter, more positive, vibrant and happy place! Of all of the DVDs I own, my proudest posessions are "Snow White", "Pinnochio" and "Sleeping Beauty"!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missm Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Bernie, that is so beautiful that I am going to frame it and put it in Baby TJ's room!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missm Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Tia Dar, just the mere mention of the Little Golden Books set my heart a flutter!! Oh and my first records were all on the DISNEYLAND label! Such great songs...some I still hum today!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted June 3, 2011 Author Share Posted June 3, 2011 Does anybody else remember the Flying Saucers? They had a pretty limited run, I believe something like 1961 to 1966. I went through a lot of "E" tickets on that one! I hear they're coming back in a different form over in California Adventure- should be fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reid C. Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 I don't remember the flying Saucers, Kirk. I'll look that one up.Do you remember the model airplane flying circle located next to the the Moon Rocket in Tomorrowland? Many young pilots got their start there learning to fly U-control models provided by L M Cox located right there in Santa Ana. that was closed in '58. By the way, where did the Moon Rocket go? that thing was classic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missm Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Sorry Kirk, I don't remember the Flying Saucers, but I do recall (fondly) the Autopia!! Ahhhh...what great memories...and the E TICKETS!!! Do you remember walking through the park and the ground would be littered with like...A,B and D tickets!!! Those E Tickets were like Gold!! Ahh...what great days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted June 3, 2011 Author Share Posted June 3, 2011 I don't remember the flying Saucers, Kirk. I'll look that one up.Do you remember the model airplane flying circle located next to the the Moon Rocket in Tomorrowland? Many young pilots got their start there learning to fly U-control models provided by L M Cox located right there in Santa Ana. that was closed in '58. By the way, where did the Moon Rocket go? that thing was classic! Yeah, Reid, I remember those. In addition, they had the 'prop rods' (cars on a tether pushed by a model airplane engine) in the same area. O.k., I found a little vid of the flying saucer ride: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted June 3, 2011 Author Share Posted June 3, 2011 Sorry Kirk, I don't remember the Flying Saucers, but I do recall (fondly) the Autopia!! Ahhhh...what great memories...and the E TICKETS!!! Do you remember walking through the park and the ground would be littered with like...A,B and D tickets!!! Those E Tickets were like Gold!! Ahh...what great days! Yes, missm, you never found an E ticket on the ground...rarely a C ticket, either- they were good for all of the Fantasy land rides: Alice in Wonderland, Mr Toad's Wild Ride, Peter Pan, Pinnochio, Snow White- classics every one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted June 3, 2011 Author Share Posted June 3, 2011 By the way, where did the Moon Rocket go? that thing was classic! The Rocket to the Moon ride turned into Mission to Mars shortly after we landed on the moon! That ride closed a few years ago. The rocket is still standing, but I think it's a refreshment stand or something similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reid C. Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 OK, I remember now. Thanks, Kirk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 The Wonderful World of Disney sigh - Grew up on all the Disney movies - even saw Pinnochio in the mid 70's when it came out in the theaters again with my Dad - Disneyland - went in January 1969 as I recall with my family - I have a pic somewhere of my brother and I on the Dumbo ride lol - DisneyWorld - went in 1977, 1978 and 1979 before I moved to Fla... favorite place to be - you'd have either found me on Space Mountain, the Hall of Presidents, The Haunted Mansion or my ab fab - Pirates of the Carribean lol.Up in my attic I have that huge heavy 20 pound hardback book on the Walt Disney and the Disney Studios - read it cover to cover.I had always secretly wished that Walt was my dad - now that would have been COOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 I do, Kirk! I never went to Disneyland and so never rode in them, but saw pictures on television and SO wanted to! There was always footage of Annette and another Mouseketeer riding in the teacup (if that's the ride you mean), having the time of their lives. I loved watching them!Oops, wrong ride. Sorry. I still loved those Teacups!--D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 I think people were having problems going to the concerts, because of the Captain EO, Space Mountain rides. The rocket ride was near to the sound stage. With all the other rides, it became difficult as the other rides became very popular.Here's some more trivia: Admission on opening day, $1.00Over 28,000 guests on opening day.Averaging 13 million annual guests, now.Only real face characters are allowed to talk,like Snow White, Jack Sparrow, or Alice and Wonderland.The Matterhorn has two tracks. The one on the right is slower.Sleepin Beauty Castle is three stories. 9/10's, 7/8's and 5/8's at the top. Designed after the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollies65 Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 I've been to the Castle in Bavaria. Ludwig bankrupted the kingdom building it. It's magnificent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy-Ann Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Growing up in SoCal, Disneyland was a part of my life. Especially as I grew older. It was a place for my friends and me to go dancing and meet people and be in a safe environment.But the best part of this story is, my sister met her (ex) husband because of the band RAIN---a tribute to the Beatles that were playing there on June 28, 1980. He wasn’t in the band at the time, but because we befriended the band, Maria and David met a year later, got married and had my WONDEFUL, LOVING nephew, Austin!BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!Also, having a HUGE crush on the drummer, lead me to befriend him too. And for those of you who haven’t heard the story, years later, Bobby and I met again and did a face book connection. Then one night, upon his “cute†remarks about me eating a red velvet cupcake, our own AnnaR jumped in and commented also. And the rest, as they say is history. Please see photo below!AnnaR and Bobby Taylor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Always loved Disney..Living in Florida ..we have yearly passes for ourselves and the grandkids to Disney World..we go 4 or 5 times a year...it never gets old When I lived In CA..DisneyLand was where you could find Hubby and I a couple of times a year..I still have most of the Disney movies on DVD...Keep them around for Evan and Daniel, but "Nana" likes to watch them too...My Favorite...Bambi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missm Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Shelley, very soon Nana can watch the Disney Princess movies (Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty) with Miss Chasity! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Shelley, very soon Nana can watch the Disney Princess movies (Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty) with Miss Chasity! Yes..Girly Movies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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